from Caroline Craddock
CitizenGO team
Over 100 pastors in Vietnam are behind bars as authorities attempt to control the growth of Christianity in the region.
A ministry leader in Vietnam, who was given the pseudonym “Su” for security reasons, told ChristianAid, “The government wants to combine [churches] to limit their growth and have more control." He continued, "If the pastors refused to sign a paper saying they would combine and that their gatherings would not go over 500 people, they would be beaten or thrown into prison."
This unjust prison time is even more concerning due to the horrific and life-threatening prison conditions in Vietnam. According to sources, prisoners who do not follow strict protocol have been poisoned without a trial.
Christians only account for about 10% of Vietnam’s population, and they have long faced an uphill battle in terms of religious freedom. But problems for Christians escalated over the last few weeks as 60 new pastors were abruptly sent to jail. The newly arrested pastors join more than 40 pastors who are already behind bars. Many of the pastors have been in jail since 2001.
Vietnam's Constitution and legal code claim to protect freedom of belief and religion, but there are many restrictions on the growth of religious minorities. Churches are forced to register to hold meetings, and unjust impediments to registration exist in many regions. Religious groups that are seen as a threat to the communist government are often shut down.
We need to let authorities in Vietnam know that the international community is watching to ensure the prompt release of these pastors.
Please take a moment to sign this petition by clicking on the image below to help us raise awareness about these grave injustices. Christians all over the world should be free to spread the gospel and worship freely.
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